Fitness in the Community

Fitness in the Community, based in Chepstow, aims to provide accessible fitness and exercise options for adults who may not regularly engage in physical activity but would like to start. The organisation recognises that staying fit contributes to overall good health, but understands that taking the next step towards improving health can be daunting for many individuals. With several excellent gyms and leisure facilities in Monmouthshire, all equipped with qualified fitness instructors, Fitness in the Community offers a person-focused approach that can be an alternative or complement to traditional gym workouts.

The programme caters to those who desire to improve their fitness but lack the confidence to take the next step. This lack of confidence may stem from personal health concerns or uncertainty about one's physical abilities. Additionally, many individuals feel self-conscious about exercising in front of others, making the prospect of joining a gym or leisure centre a genuinely fearful experience. Recognising this, Fitness in the Community proposes a less intimidating option that brings fitness directly to individuals in their own communities, utilising local village halls.

The aim is to enhance overall health by making it convenient, accessible, and less intimidating for people to pursue fitness and take control of their well-being.

Kath Patrick, the founder of Fitness in the Community, has a personal history and motivation for promoting fitness outside traditional gym settings. Born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, Kath is married with three daughters and has been a resident of Chepstow since 2001. She worked in the NHS from 1979 to 2010, enjoying the variety and opportunities the healthcare field offered. Passionate about maintaining her own fitness, Kath participates in group exercise classes at St Pierre and occasionally instructs Aquarobics classes there.

In 2010, at the age of 50, Kath made the decision to leave nursing and pursue a career as a fitness instructor. She enrolled in the fitness instructor training course with Fitness Wales and obtained her qualification in 2012.

Fitness in the Community offers a range of exercise fitness classes in various locations throughout Monmouthshire. These group exercise classes cater to adults of all ages and fitness levels. Kath Patrick, a State Registered Nurse (retired) and qualified fitness instructor registered with REPS (Register of Exercise Professionals), leads these classes. Participants can choose from classes held in Portskewett and Sudbrook Church Hall on Tuesdays from 11am to 12pm, Bulwark Community Centre on Wednesdays from 4.

30pm to 5. 30pm, and Portskewett and Itton Village Hall on Thursdays from 10am to 11am. Further details and directions to these classes can be found on Fitness in the Community's official website.

In summary, Fitness in the Community aims to make fitness and exercise more accessible and less intimidating for adults in Chepstow and surrounding areas. The organisation offers a range of exercise fitness classes led by qualified instructor Kath Patrick, who is dedicated to promoting the benefits of maintaining good health. With an emphasis on convenience, inclusivity, and community engagement, Fitness in the Community provides individuals with an opportunity to take control of their fitness journey in a supportive and welcoming environment.